Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines

Product Description

This extraordinary comic version of the historic 1910 London-to-Paris air race features the greatest aviators from around the world. They all come together when a stuffy, but very rich, newspaper publisher decides to sponsor an airplane race across the English Channel, offering 10,000 pounds to the winner. The escapades between the American, British, French, German, Italian and Japanese teams result in the most daring and hilarious in-flight acrobatic stunts ever caught on film.

System Requirements:

Running Time 137 Min

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

An air race from London to Paris provides the premise for this marvelous comedy, which features thrilling aerial photography and some stupefying stunt flying. It's set in 1910, when the (lovingly re-created) airplanes of the period were likelier to sputter and crash than they were to go in a straight line. The international contest requires an international cast, including Stuart Whitman as a cowboy American interested in the ladylove (Sarah Miles) of an English ace (James Fox). Alberto Sordi and Gert Frobe represent the Italian and German nations; Terry-Thomas plans frightful sabotage for race day. From the jaunty opening song and the great opening-credits drawings by Gerald Searle onward, the movie has a pleasingly breezy tone that sits well with the meticulous flying sequences. This is a delightful example of a certain kind of internationally flavored film of the period, somewhat similar to The Great Race, released the same year (1965). --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews:

A wonderful classic.......2007-07-11

I have wanted to get this movie on DVD for a long time. I always loved watching it as a child. It even fostered my dream to fly. Here I am, a private pilot working on my commercial license.

Strange, weird movie.......2007-04-12

I bought Magnificent Men because my four year old loves old airplanes and he actually watched the whole movie from beginning to end. When the airplanes are actually moving and the race is on or they're practising is quite interesting and somewhat engaging. The rest of the silliness is just that...silly and fun...esp. for a four year old. Some of it of course is over his head. The anniv. edition has some great info on how the film was made and who actually flew those original made machines.
The airplanes are definitely the star of this film.

A look into human endevors. Great movie.......2007-04-11

I just loved the way this movie unfolded, with a wonderful story line and reproduced "Real plains" It all flowed so well, with the way the world was then it showed how big the world use to be.

What ever happened to Intermissions ? Well we have a one here It really brings me back to a time when a long movie was made comfortable with a little more popcorn and soda.

Those Magnificant Men and Their Flying Machines.......2007-02-25

This was sent in great shape. It also is a great older movie about the first flying machines to be in that era. It involves a race of these older machines that was a lot of fun to watch.

One of the RARE Classics.......2007-01-23

This is a great movie for airplane buffs and those who enjoy comedy. The filming and stunts are amazing. To think this was the beginning of aviation. A must see for anyone who appreciates comedy and/or aviation. A family favorite at my house, one we view over and over. The laughs never seem to stop.

DVD:

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